Improvement in clothes-pins



P. MIHAN;

CLOTHES-PINS.

No. 186,055. Patented Ian.9, 1877.

: Wwf/www.. Patria/"b when@ UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICEc PATRICK MIHAN, OF CAMBRIDGEPORT, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLOTHES-PINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 186,055, dated January 9, 1877; application filed March 28, 1876.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK MIHAN, of Cambridgeport, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Clothes-Pins; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof', which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

In such drawing, Figure 1 denotes a side elevation, and Fig. 2 an edge view, of a clothes-pin embodying my improvement. Fig. 3 is a central and longitudinal section of it as it appears when applied to a clothesline.

My invention is an improvement upon that class of clothes-pins which are formed with three or more independent prongs or legs, one pair of which is so constructed as to constitute spring-jaws to grasp and clamp the clothes upon a line, which 1 effect by increasing the elastic force of one or both of the jaws, especially near its or their outer ends, whereby such are enabled to grasp and flrmly hold the clothes upon the line, whether such line be of a greater or less diameter.

In order to attain this result I interpose between the outer ends of each inner and outer prong, or between one of such inner and outer prongs, an abutment-preferably, a thin strip or block of rubber-having a width eq ual to the kerf or space between the two, or, if desirable, may be formed of a non-elastic material 5 or it may be constructed as an integral part of one ofthe prongs or jaws. Such abutments, while allowing the jaw or jaws an equal degree of lateral expansion near their middle, serve to hold their outer ends in closer elastic impingement with the line, after the pin has been properly placed and fixed on the same, than can be effected were the jaws unprovided with such abutment orabutments; and, therefore, my invention consists in the application or arrangement in a clothes-pin having a plurality of independent prongs or legs formed in one end thereof, an abutment or strip between the outer extremities of each inner and outer prong, or between one of such inner and outer prongs.

In the drawing, A denotes the body of a clothes-pin, the same having three longitudinal kerfs sawed or formed in one end thereof, such dividing the same into four independent legs or prongs, the two inner ones a a, constituting the grasping-jaws, being formed with a hollow or depression to receive the clothesline, the inner faces of the parts a a at their outer ends flaring outward, such constituting a pin of the ordinary construction, and which I disclaim.

In carrying out my invention I interpose between the ends of each pair of inner and outer prongs, or between one of such inner and outer prongs, an abutment, b, preferably elastic, though I do not limit myself to such, as they may be formed of a non-elastic material; or, if desirable, such abutment or abutments may be formed upon the prongs, and integral with the material of which the pinis composed.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- The combination, with a clothes-pin having a plurality of independent prongs, as' described, of one or more abutments, b, arranged in manner as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

I testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own invention I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PATRICK MIHAN Witnesses:

F. P. HALE, F. O. HALE. 

